A dental splint is a removable or fixed oral appliance designed to protect or stabilize the teeth and jaw structures following injury or disease. These devices are custom-made to fit precisely over the teeth, and their appearance varies depending on their medical purpose. The primary goal of any splint is to reduce destructive forces, manage jaw joint disorders, or maintain the correct position of compromised teeth.
Function and Common Materials
Dental splints are prescribed for managing teeth grinding (bruxism), alleviating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and stabilizing teeth after trauma or gum disease. The material chosen relates directly to the splint’s function and required rigidity. Hard splints are typically fabricated from clear, rigid acrylic resin, offering superior durability and a firm barrier against heavy biting forces, often used for severe bruxism.
Soft and hybrid splints utilize thermoplastic polymers for a more flexible and comfortable fit. Hybrid devices combine a soft, cushioning inner layer with a hard acrylic outer layer for structural support and wear resistance. For fixed applications, such as stabilizing injured teeth, materials like thin metal wires, nylon fiber ribbons, and composite bonding resin secure teeth directly to one another.
Visual Characteristics of Occlusal Splints
Occlusal splints, commonly known as night guards or bite guards, are the most recognizable type, covering the biting surfaces of the entire upper or lower arch. Hard acrylic occlusal splints appear as a polished, rigid, and highly transparent shell that snugly encases the teeth. They maintain a uniform thickness, often at least two millimeters, across the biting surface. This clear appearance makes them relatively discreet.
Hybrid or soft/hard splints present a layered visual texture. They feature a clear, firm outer surface that transitions to a more opaque, rubbery-looking inner lining. This softer interior conforms closely to the teeth and gums for enhanced comfort. The color is usually colorless and clear, though some materials may have a faint pink or light blue tint. The thickness is increased on the biting surface to create a flat plane, ensuring even contact with the opposing arch and preventing the teeth from fully engaging during clenching or grinding.
Appearance of Stabilization and Periodontal Splints
Specialized splints used for stabilization and periodontal purposes look distinctly different from removable occlusal guards. Fixed trauma splints, used to stabilize teeth following an injury like avulsion, appear as thin lines of material bonded directly across the front surfaces of multiple teeth. These often consist of a fine stainless steel wire or a flexible fiber ribbon, with a diameter often less than 0.5 millimeters, secured using a tooth-colored composite resin. The resulting look is a subtle horizontal band that rigidly links the injured tooth to its stable neighbors for a short healing period.
Removable periodontal splints, which stabilize loose teeth due to gum disease, may resemble a specialized retainer or a partial denture. They can incorporate clasps or metal frameworks for retention and may cover the teeth and surrounding gum tissue. Fixed periodontal splints, intended for long-term stability, are often visible as a thin strip of composite resin or metal wire bonded to the tongue-side of the front teeth, permanently joining them together. Surgical splints, used post-jaw surgery, are wafer-like, clear acrylic guides that precisely maintain the new jaw alignment, fitting closely against the teeth and gums.